Fake FB accounts ‘prelude to crackdown’? File charges if you have proof, Palace tells Zarate

MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Minority Leader Carlos Zarate should file charges if he has evidence that the sudden surge in Facebook dummy accounts is a “prelude to a crackdown” once the Anti-Terrorism Bill is enacted into law, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this as he noted that conclusions made without evidence should be avoided in time of a health crisis.

“Well if Congressman Zarate has the evidence, he should file the corresponding charge. Pero sa panahon ng pandemya, sana iwasan yung mga ganitong conclusions na wala namang ebidensya,” Roque said in an online briefing.

(Well if Congressman Zarate has the evidence, he should file the corresponding charge. But during a pandemic, I wish making conclusions without evidence should be avoided.)

“But of course, the courts and fiscal’s office are open. Kung talagang ganyan ang tingin niyang nangyare, magsampa po sya,” he further said.

(But of course, the courts and fiscal’s office are open. If he thinks that was what happened, he should file charges.)

A sudden surge of fake Facebook accounts surfaced over the weekend prompting users to express fear over the platform’s privacy issues.

Groups behind the surge of Facebook dummy accounts should look for better things to do, Roque added, reminding that what they are doing is illegal.

“Ilegal po ‘yan at humanap po kayo ng mas mabuting gagawin,” Roque said.

(That’s illegal. Find better things to do.)

Roque added it is enough that the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are already investigating the matter.

Facebook said it is also probing the surge of dummy accounts being reported by students and faculty of some universities.